Notes: 
(1) “The Great Doctrines of the Bible” by Rev. William Evans, Ph.D., D.D. is a well-respected reference material for Bible students, pastors, missionaries and laymen. You can read the entire book from Google (click the picture of the book cover), or download the complete zipped e-book. (2) Surf to the index of lessons and online quizzes from Evans. (3) The most important ideas and statements from this part of Evans’ book are listed in the “Basic truths” section below.
The doctrine of the Trinity: (Vs. Unitarianism).
The doctrine of the Trinity is, in its last analysis, a deep mystery that cannot be fathomed by the finite mind. That it is taught in the Scripture, however, there can be no reasonable doubt. It is a doctrine to be believed even though it cannot be thoroughly understood.
a) The Doctrine of the Trinity in the Old Testament.
This doctrine is not so much declared as intimated in the Old Testament. The burden of the Old Testament message seems to be the unity of God. Yet the doctrine of the Trinity is clearly intimated in a four-fold way:
First: In the plural names of the Deity; e. g., Elohim.
Second: Personal pronouns used of the Deity. Gen. 1:26; 11:7; Isa.6:8.
Third: The Theophanies, especially the “Angel of the Lord.” Gen.16 and 18.
Fourth: The work of the Holy Spirit. Gen. 1:2; Judges 6:34.
b) The Doctrine of the Trinity in the New Testament.
The doctrine of the Trinity is clearly taught in the New Testament; it is not merely intimated, as in the Old Testament, but explicitly declared. This is evident from the following:
First: The baptism of Christ: Matt 3:16, 17. Here the Father speaks from heaven; the Son is being baptized in the Jordan; and the Spirit descends in the form of a dove.
Second: In the Baptismal Formula: Matt. 28:19—“Baptizing them in the name (sing.) of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”
Third: The Apostolic Benediction: 2 Cor. 13:14—“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ....love of God.....communion of the Holy Ghost.”
Fourth: Christ Himself teaches it in John 14:16—“I will pray the Father... He will give you another Comforter.”
Fifth: The New Testament sets forth:
A Father who is God, Rom. 1:7. A son who is God, Heb. 1:8. A Holy Spirit who is God, Acts 5:3, 4.
The whole is summed up in the words of Boardman: The Father is all the fulness of the Godhead invisible, John 1:18; the Son is all the fulness of Godhead manifested, John 1:4-18; the Spirit is all the fulness of the Godhead acting immediately upon the creature, 1 Cor. 2:9, 10. (From “The Great Doctrines of the Bible” by Rev. William Evans, Ph.D., D.D.)
Basic truths
[1] “The doctrine of the Trinity is a doctrine to be believed even though it cannot be thoroughly understood.”
[2] The Old Testament teaches the doctrine of the Trinity:
First: In the plural names of the Deity; e. g., Elohim.[3] The New Testament teaches the doctrine of the Trinity:
Second: Personal pronouns used of the Deity. Gen. 1:26; 11:7; Isa.6:8.
Third: The Theophanies, especially the “Angel of the Lord.” Gen.16 and 18.
Fourth: The work of the Holy Spirit. Gen. 1:2; Judges 6:34.
First: In the baptism of Christ, Matt 3:16, 17.
Second: In the Baptismal Formula, Matt. 28:19.
Third: Apostolic Benediction, 2 Cor. 13:14
Fourth Christ Himself teaches it, John 14:16.
Fifth: The New Testament sets forth a Father who is God, Rom. 1:7, a Son who is God, Heb. 1:8, and a Holy Spirit who is God, Acts 5:3, 4.
Further study (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)
[1] The Trinity, from Answers in Genesis
[2] In The Name Of The Father, Son And Holy Spirit: Constructing A Trinitarian Worldview, by J. Scott Horrell (professor of Systematic Theology at Dallas Theological Seminary; formerly the graduate chairman of Systematics at the Faculdade Teológica Batista de São Paulo and editor of Vox Scripturae: Revista Teológica Latino-America)
[3] The Trinity (Triunity) of God, by J. Hampton Keathley, III (available in Spanish)
[4] Three in One, by Richard L. Strauss
[5] Materials by Patrick Zukeran (associate speaker for Probe Ministries)
[6] The Triune God: Who Is He? by Greg Herrick
[7] “And These Three Are One”; A Case for the Authenticity of 1 John 5:7-8 Rooted in Biblical Exegesis, by Jesse M. Boyd[8] A New Plea for the Authenticity of the Text of the Three Heavenly Witnesses, by Charles Forster
Sermons on the Trinity (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)
[1] The Doctrine of the Trinity, by Edward Keith Hassell
[2] Trinity Examples, by Jeff Brown, GracePointe Baptist Church
[3] The Trinity, by Paul Van Stralen
[4] Sermons by Mark Armstrong
[5] The Doctrine of the Trinity #2, by Brandon Merrill
[6] The Trinity, by Martin R. Kefoot
[7] A Comprehensive Biblical Defense of the Trinity, by Ben Rast
Note: This ministry does not necessarily endorse or share all the views and opinions expressed in the materials, resources or links mentioned in these posts. Please always refer to the Articles of Faith and Biblical distinctives of Baptists when you study these materials.
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